Baseball game apparatus



March 4, 1958 P. R. MACHT ET AL 2,825,564

BASEBALL GAME APPARATUS Filed Aug. 2, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 E oooooaxoo SHEMOHS BASERUNNE (a) ma m o 5| 1 ow s u mo: asng u STRIKES IBASERUNNER BAT SHOWERS PITCHERS SIGNAL PHILIP R.MACHT JACK c. KIEFER March 4, 1958 P; R. MACHT ET AL 2,825,564

7 BASEBALL GAME APPARATUS Filed Aug. 2. 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS PHILIP R. MACHT JACK C. KIEFER ATTORNEY P. R. MACHT ET AL BASEBALL GAME APPARATUS March 4, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 2, 1956 JACK O. KIEFER ATTORNEY United States Patent BASEBALL GAME APPARATUS Philip R. Macht, Baltimore, Md., and Jack C. Kiefer, Ithaca, N. Y.

Application August 2, 1956, Serial No. 601,793

4 Claims. (Cl. 273-93) This invention relates to game apparatus and more particularly to baseball game apparatus which provides a close simulation of the tactics and strategy of actual baseball.

The game of baseball, sometimes referred to as the national pastime, has many fans and adherents. Accordingly, many attempts have been made to provide a simulated baseball game through the use of a game board, playing pieces, etc. Such prior art devices have failed to capture the true spirit of baseball, however, and have failed to provide a game which will satisfy the needs of a true baseball fan and at the same time be found enjoyable by persons less familiar with the game.

The present invention provides a baseball game which plays very much like the real game. The contestants are rewarded in accordance with their baseball skill and their ability to employ baseball strategy and tactics in the proper manner. A primary defect of the games of the prior art is that While they attempt to simulate a baseball game in a very general manner, the results of the play are influenced too much by the element of chance and offer the contestants little or no opportunity to employ a choice of one of several strategies in various situations which arise in the course of play. The game of the present invention, on the other hand, places the element of change in its proper perspective and emphasizes the frequent and varied strategic choices which are the essence of baseball.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a unique game.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved baseball game apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide game apparatus which allows the application of actual baseball strategy.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a baseball game in which almost all of the factors affecting the outcome of an actual baseball game are accounted for.

An additional object of the invention is to provide game apparatus employing unique chance controlled devices.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a baseball game which allows a pair of contestants to perform the functions of baseball team managers, among which functions are choosing a line-up of players, making substitutions, instructing batters, instructing pitchers, instructing fielders, and instructing base runners.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention and the manner of accomplishing the same will become more apparent in the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a game board constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and on which a plurality of playing pieces have been located;

, 2,825,564 Patented Mar. 4, 1958 "ice Figure 2 is a plan view of a preferred form of spinner employed in the game of the invention;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a preferred form of another spinner employed in the game of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a unique playing piece of the invention.

Briefly, the preferred form of the invention includes a game board having a model or miniature baseball field displayed thereon and provided with batting order or line-up areas for two teams as well as selectable indicators for pitchers signal, batters signal, and base runners signal. A plurality of playing pieces representing the players of the two teams is provided, each piece being associated with indicia which indicate ratings of the individual players with respect to their batting ability, defensive ability, and running speed. Each playing piece also has indicia for indicating the position played and an identifying number. The two contestants assume the role of team managers and give signals to their respective pitchers, batters and base runners. When a player comes to bat, his manager chooses a batters signal, which is hidden from the manager of the opposing team. The latter manager chooses a pitchers signal, also hidden from his opposing manager. When the choices have been made, the result of a pitch is determined by a chance controlled device which correlates the element of chance with the particular batters batting ability rating and with the signals given by the respective managers. The result of base running plays is determined on a separate spinner which indicates the odds for difierent base running situations and correlates the element of chance with the running speed of the particular base runner and the defensive rating of the opposing team as a whole.

In the following description, preferred forms of apparatus, rules and definitions are set forth, but it Will be understood that these forms are merely exemplary of the concepts of the invention. Unless otherwise specified actual baseball rules are applied to the playing of the game.

Referring to Figure l of the drawing, the game of the present invention in its preferred form includes a game board lil'having a miniature baseball field 12 displayed on one surface thereof. The game board may be formed of a suitable fiberboard backing to which a printed overlying sheet may be adhesively attached. The miniature playing field may simulate an actual playing field in every respect. A recess 14 is provided adjacent each of the bases of the field to receive playing pieces 16 to be described hereinafter (one of which is indicated at first base).

The game board is preferably divided ofi into the following areas, which may be duplicated for the respective teams: line-up 18, bench 2i), showers 22 and scoreboard 24. Also provided are selectable indicators for pitchers signal, 26, batters signal, 28, and base runners signal 30. Additional areas 32 may be utilized to display the odds-spinner plays to be described.

While the indicators illustrated may vary greatly in structure, indicators of the type having printed blocks with suitable indicia therein and associated recesses to receive pegs are employed in the form shown. The pegs may be substantially identical with the playing pieces 16 (see Figure 4) except for color and/or indicia. Additional indicators may be provided in the scoreboard portion 24 of the game board, for example, so as to display the inning-by-inning score of the respective teams, or separate score sheets may be provided.

The line-up, bench and shower areas are preferably formed with depressions in the board (as indicated in Figure 1) to receive a plurality of indicia-bearingc'ards spinner 40) is a pitch-out. This is an automatic ball and requires no spin of the pitch spinner. The effect of such a signal besides providing an automatic ball is, as described below, to give the defense an advantage with respect to a stealing base runner by lowering the base runners speed rating one grade in accordance with the rules of the game.

The rings of the pitch spinner 40 are divided circumferentially into a plurality of segments, each of which contains words or symbols indicative of the result of a particular pitch. The abbreviations are H for home run, 3b for a triple, 2b for a double, 1b for a single, F. B. for a line bunt, G for a grounder, R for a roller, P for a pop-fly, F for a fly, L for a liner, HB for hit batsman, WP for wild pitch, and PB for passed ball. The circumferential proportions of the respective indications for the different batters ability ratings, different pitchers signals, and difierent batters signals are preferably determined in accordance with actual base ball statistics. The element of chance is accounted for in the spinning of the pointer 46, but the probability that the pointer .will rest on a particular indication is determined by the circumferential proportions of the rings. In this manner baseball realism is obtained.

The base runner or odds spinner 42 of Figure 3 is employed in those situations resulting from a spin of the pitch spinner 40 which call for its use and in other situations to be described. It is divided into quadrants containing indicia proportioned in accordance with four sets of odds designated, respectively, A, B, C and D. The different quadrants (and different odds) are employed in appropriate base running situations. The spinner disc is divided into four groups of circumferential rings identified by the titles strong, good, fair, and weak,

which correspond to the defensive ratings of indicators 38 of the game board. There are three rings in each group, the respective rings being designated slow, average, and fast. These designations refer to the running speed of the individual players. Each ring is divided circumferentially into segments designated safe and out. The proportioning of the respective segments is preferably determined in accordance with actual baseball statistics. .It'has been found that suificient realism is obtained if the base running situations are divided into the four groups or quadrants indicated.

The various situations in which the odds spinner is employed may be summarized and placed on the board in areas 32 (Figure 1) for convenient reference. While the use of the different quadrants in the situations set forth below is preferred because of conformity to actual baseball statistics, the use of the odds spinner in different situations may be varied as desired.

In the playing of the game, each manager selects his starting line-up and places the playing pieces (including the indicator cards 34) corresponding to the players chosen in his line-up area, as shown in Figure 1. The remaining players are placed on the bench. During the course of the game substitutions may be made, but as in baseball once a player has been substituted for, he goes to the showers and may not return to the game.

The visiting team is at bat first, and the peg of the V at bat marker 19 for the visitors is placed opposite the lead-0E batter of the visiting team. The outs, balls, and strikes indicators are set to Zero. Now, the manager of the visiting team'shields his batters signal indicator from the manager of the home team (the managers being located at opposite ends of the board iii) and places the peg of his batters signal indicator in the recess designating the signal which he desires to give to his lead-oft batter on the first pitch. At the same time, the home team manager shields his pitchers signal indicator and places its peg in the recess indicating the signal that hedesires to give his pitcher on the firstpitch. When both managers have secretly made their choice of sigiials, the respective indicators are'exposed. The pitch spinner is then spun by the defensive manager and the result of the pitch is read as follows: First, the quadrant of spinner 413 corresponding to the batters ability rating is consulted. Next, the group of rings corresponding to the batters signal is consulted within the quadrant chosen. Finally, the ring corresponding to the pitchers signal in the last-mentioned group is consulted and the symbol or word beneath the fiducial line of the overlying pointer of the spinner is read. This procedure is repeated for every pitch of the game.

Frequently, the result read on the pitch spinner requires that the odds spinner be consulted. When this happens, the pointer of the odds spinner is spun by the defensive teams manager, and the result is determined in the following manner: First, the proper quadrant is determined in accordance with the odds for the particular play, as set forth hereinafter. Next, the group of rings corresponding to the defensive teams rating is consulted. Finally, the ring within the last-mentioned group corresponding to the offensive runners speed rating is consulted, and the result is read from the segment of the chosen ring below the fiducial line on the pointer overlying the chosen quadrant. In the remote event that the pointer (of either spinner) becomes aligned with the quadrant dividing lines, the pointer is merely spun again, or if the pointer rests on a line within a quadrant the adjacent area in the counter-clockwise sense is read.

A player may be placed on base by merely removing the peg representing that player from the associated card in the line-up area and placing the peg in the recess ad:

iacent the base. This leaves the line-up intact. The player is returned to his card when he leaves the field. For convenient reference, the players identification number and running speed may be placed on the peg as well as the card associated therewith, as indicated in Figure 4.

In the following numbered paragraphs are defined the terms used on the pitch spinner 40 and the possible outcomes of play, taking into consideration the use of the odds spinner 42, when required. The rules outlined therein are intended primarily for contestants well versed in baseball and may be simplified for beginners.

(1) Ball, Strike, and Foul (recorded on the scoreboard) have the usual consequences and may result in a walk or strilteout (these Fouls are never caught on the fiy; those fouls which are caught are included as Pop-ups and Flies). The single shaded and double shaded areas of the Swing ring count as Balls (the batter holds up his swing) except in the following situations:

(a) With base runners on second or third (none on first) or on first and third, the selection by the offensive manager of a Steal Signal together with a Swing Signal constitutes a Hit-and-Run Signal; in this case, the batter must try to protect the runners, even on a bad pitch (ex' cept on a Pitch Out, which is too inaccessible), and swings; the single shaded area counts as a Strike, and the double shaded area as a Foul.

(b) With runners on first, first and second, or on all bases, and with the Steal Signal and Swing Signal selected,

or with runners on first and third and the Steal, Runner on Third Holding Signal and Swing Signal selected,.this is again a Hit-and-Run Play; however, no base runner will be put out if the batter walks, and he can afford to let a very poor pitch go by with three balls on him; thus, the single shaded area counts as a Strike and the double shaded area as a Foul, unless there were three balls on the batter previously, in which case either area counts as a fourth ball.

(2) Pitch Out is an automatic ball, no matter what the batters signal; it reduces the speed of any base runner trying to steal by one level (a slow runner being out).

(3) Hit Batsman (Hi3) takes first; as in baseball, a runner trying to steal on a HB pitch must go back unless forced by the HR to advance.

, (4) Wild Pitch (WP) counts as a ball; the batter only takes first if this is a fourth ball; base runners'advance is trying to steal third or home. The exception to this is that, with men on first and third, the ofiensive manager has the additional option of signaling Steal, Man on Third Holding, in which case the runner on first has Odds B of reaching second safely. On a pitch out the speed of the most advanced base runner attempting to steal is lowered one level in using the odds spinner (Fast runner becomes Average, Average runner becomes Slow, Slow runner is automatically out). Any players attempting to steal are automatically out (doubled or tripled off base) when a Liner is hit, but cannot be put out on a Roller or Grounder. On a WP or PB all base runners who were attempting to steal advance two bases, but the steal signal is nullified if there is a HB or a strike out resulting from a batter bunting foul with two strikes (14) Advances of Base Runners on Throw-ins From the 'Outfield will arise on some of the plays remaining to be described; namely, when the batter gets a double with (at least) a runner on first or a single with a runner on first or second, or when a fly is hit with less than two outs and runners are on second and third. The following rule applies in all these cases: As soon as the outcome of'the pitch spinner is noted, the oifensive manager first announces which of his runners (including the batter if he hits safely) are trying for an extra base at which they are not automatically safe. Next, the defensive manager announces either that the throw-in from the outfield is being cut ofi (in which case the runners trying for extra'bases are all safe but there are no other advances) or else he specifies a base to which the ball is being thrown to try to put out a runner trying to advance there for an extra base. In the latter case, before the odds spinner is spun, the offensive manager has the option of specifying any runner or runners who were not originally trying for an extra base they were permitted to try for as trying to Advance on the Throw-in. The odds spinner is then spun to determine whether the man who was trying for the extra base to which the throw comes from the outfield is safe or out (using appropriate odds), the other runners who were originally trying for extra bases being automatically safe. After the outcome of this spin is noted, the defensive manager chooses one of the bases to which an advance on the relay was being made and the odds spinner is spun to determine whether the runner advancing to that base is safe or out, using odds one better than would have applied originally (D becomes C, C becomes B, B becomes A, A becomes Safe), the other players advancing on throw-in being automatically safe. If two runners (of whom at least the less advanced is not automatically safe) are trying for extra bases on a fly or hit to the outfield or on a throw-in, and if the more advanced of the two runners scores while the other is being retired for the third out,

"L116 1'1111,C01111t8,,b6l11g assumed to score before the out.

:(15) Hits to the Outfield and Advances of Base Runners on Them:

(a) 1B, 2B, 3B, H are considered hits to the outfield. It is possible to try to stretch a triple to a home run, using Odds D, and a double to a triple or a single to a double, using Odds C (advanced to Odds B if this attempted stretch is on a Throw-in From the Outfield to another base first, in an attempt to retire a base runner stretching for an extra base).

(b) Base runners advance one base on a single and two bases on a double (scoring on a triple or home run), with the following exceptions:

(i) Any runner who was stealing automatically advances an extra base on a hit, scoring from first on a double, or receiving two bases on a single.

(ii) With two outs, Fast and Average runners automatically advance an extra base on a hit, while a Slow runner is counted as Fast in reading the odds spinner if such a runner decides to try to stretch for an extra base.

the teams are composed of only nine players, with no ,two being automatically safe.

(On a single with two outs, a stealing runner advances a total of two bases.)

(iii) Runners who do not receive an automatic extra base on a hit (because there were two outs or they were stealing) may try to stretch for an extra base on a single, using Odds A (advanced to Automatically Safe 'if the attempted stretch is on a Throw-in From the Outfield to another base first) or to score from first on a double, using Odds B (advanced to Odds A on a Throwin to another base). For example, suppose there are runners on first and second with no one stealing and less than two outs and a single is hit to the outfield. The offensive manager makes one of four decisions: (1) all runners hold up after advancing one base, (2) the man on second attempts to score, the man on first stopping at second, (3) both runners try to advance two bases,.the batter stopping at first with a single, (4) both runners try to advance two bases and the batter attempts to stretch for a double. In case (2), the defensive manager either decides to cut off the throw-in (the run scores but there is no further advance) or else decides to throw home to play for the runner from second, in which case the runner who started on first is automatically safe at third on the Throw-in From the Outfield, and the offensive manager has the additional option of having the batter try to stretch for an extra base, using Odds B. This last decision must be made before the odds spinner is spun at all, and if the decision is to try for a double, the spinner must be spun once for the play at the plate and once for the play at second. In case (3), the defensive manager must decide whether to let both runners advance and cut off the throw-in to prevent a stretch by the batter, or must specify the one of the two base runners for which he is playing, using Odds A (the other one being safe) and give the batter the additional option of Advancing on the Throw-in, using Odds B. In case (4), the defensive manager must decide which of the three runners (the original base runners using Odds A or the batter using Odds C) he is playing for, the other Thus, with two fast base runners against a fair or weak defense, the offensive manager might prefer (3) to (2) because if he chooses (2) the throw-in will probably be cut off and the runner who would very likely have been safe at third under (3) will be held to second; on the other hand, against a good defense with a fast man on second and a slow man on first, (2) might be preferable because under (3) a throw-in to third would have had a good chance of retiring the slow runner, while under (2) the offensive manager can wait for the defense to decide whether to throw to home or to cut off the throw-in, with the slow runner automatically taking third safely in the case of a play to the plate.

The apparatus of the invention may also be employed in a simplified or short baseball game. In the short game,

substitutions permitted, defensive ratings are neglected, and the odds spinner is eliminated. Rollers, pop-flies, and liners are defined as automatic outs.

A fly is also defined as an out, but fast and average speed base runners can score from third, and fast base runners can move from second to third.

On a fine bunt, base runners advance. A fast batter is safe at first. Average and slow batters are out at first.

A grounder is also defined as an out, with a double play from second to first if there is a runner on first. A double play from home to first results if there is a runner on first, second and third. A slow base runner is forced at second or at home on a hunt attempt. Other rules and definitions for the short version may be formulated as required.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in such embodiments without departing from the principles of V 1 thc iavent oni "1n itsbroaderaspects thefiinvention'mai' include interchangeable 'indicia cards for the pitch 'spin ner toaccount' for the; varying. abilitieslof different pitcha $55. Ihe pitch spinner maybe arranged to account for variat'ions in performanceagainst'left handed and righthanded batters, designatedtaccordingly, and a finer scal- 7 ing-of the base runningsituations, positions of the batted ball, etcrmay be providcd by suitable modification of the pitch and base runner spinners. Other types of chance controlled devices may also be employed. .Moreover, in-

stead of having prearranged teams,.a large pool of play- :ersmay be provided, and several managers representing tthe'teams of a league, andamong which teams a series of games is to be played, may be provided with sums of .money,lvvhich may be utilized to buytplayers from the "pool and from other teams. t t V fThe' foregoing embodiments are, therefore, exemplary 4 rathenthan restrictive of the invention, the scope of fwhi'chlis defined in the appended claims: Accordingly,

llidseiinddificirtions jwhich lie Within the meaning and rangetof equivalency of the claims are included therein.

' 'What'we claim as ourjinvention isz to tl' ellast-rnentioned player; a spinner comprising a disc and a cooperating relatively rotatable pointer, said disc; 35

having a; plurality of distinct" major areas delineated thereonand designated'by indieagsaid disc having'a'plufrality of minor areas delineated thereon 'within each major area and located successively radially ;of the disc -an:l eaclrdesig'nated by indicia,"said disc having ,a plurality of smaller areas delineated thereon within said V V m minor' areas and located successively radially of thetdisc' and eachdc'signated by indicia, said disc having a .plurality of still smaller areas delineated thereon within said smail'er' areas and located to'be traversedsuccessively by said 'pointer and each designated by indicia; the indicia V designating jsaid'stiilsmaller areas: describing '-dilferent' batting play conclusions and said still smaller areas being.

7 icorrelated in number and in siie' along the path traversed bythc pointer in accordance with actual sitatisticalgbase- :ball batting play 7 conclusions, 7 the indicia designating the f orient the three remainingplnralitie's describing diiferent teamdef'ensiver at ings';and thei'indicia'designat ing the areas ot "the fihaliremaining pluralityfdes' cribing 1 7 different player 'ru -nning' speed ratings, and said pointer, having a-plura'li't y ofaims' one' of which issuperi mpos jeldj gon nnd 'extends across-ea'chjof said majqr areas'forall :qperational fio'sitipn s of saidipointerf H .7 t t V 's inner pf clairn li.whereinisaid major; areas 1, 45

different batting ability categories, t he 'indi'cia de'signat- V ing the areas of onetof the'two remaining pluralities' describing difiercnt batter signalsltwith respect ;to impendi ing pitches, and the indicia designating the areas of'the" "final remaining plurality describing"different'pitcher sigQ',

t 3 F orguse with baseball ingl din g-a game board having a miniature baseball diamond delineated thereon, a plurality'ofplaying pieces ut e'pa ts tsa dt ilngs.

- 23691639 Seal'e' nals-wi h rs pc ttoasu pi che nd aid poin r hav ng v pll rli y dfi arms-on 'j s c is supcr nip s s nd V extends across each of isaidimajor areas to: allloperation{ -5 .;a1p'osit ions of' sai d pointer. t V i 1 IZLL'IhetsPinner f cl-aim l, wherein said;

representing theplay rs of opposing baseball teams and having indiciadesig-nating running speed ratings forgthe a fiq ay r 'an tp aye 'de e siver ingso ztrw ch t -h i ams fen v i ng p nd pinne c mprising a disc and a cooperatingrelatively rotatable pointer, L fiaidf i ha in a plu al ty: 0i i in t-"major a as l tedtthen n nd d s gna e by: indic a, said d s h ingarl fminori rcas' delineated thereoni i m f in ea h mayor rea an loca e successively radiallyl t the disc; and each designated by indicia, said gdisc having a pluralitybf smallerareas :delineated thereon within-said 1 minor areas and't-lpcatedsuccessively radiallyt ofzthe disc 7 .and-eachidesignated by indicia,;sa-id disc having iaf plu- 'r'alityiofr still smaller areas'i'deline'ated thereon; said smaller areas and located'to-be-traversedsuccessively by said pointer :andeach designated by indicia; 'the in ldicia designating sa-idfstill smaller'tareasde'scribing difier- "ent base running and fielding play conclusions 7 and: said still smaller areas ;bein'g corr'emted in number a d ma e lalong' the path-traversed ibyfsaid jggoiiiter inlaccorda n'ce with aetuaistaitistieat tbas'ehall r unning and-fielding 1 V con'lu"ons-,-the iridi'ciadesignatingthe-areas of one of the three remaining; pliiral-iti'es describing different 'Iba'se "running andfielding situations, the indic'ia designatingythe area's Qi one'v-of the two-remaining pluralitie stde scribin'g major areas I ilarelsecturs, .said minor iareasl'forn v circularbands, t smaller? areas form.rings,- and'saidstill smaller areas are tarcuatepartsofsaid 'rings." f 1 V '7 lame apparatus of the type a V 69mmtsa dlminctq easi m i u arc ands'c ais smaller areasi tormirings and'said stillsmallerjareas V 

